Earlier this morning [June 26], Premier Michael Dunkley and Minister of Community, Culture and Sport Wayne Scott joined members of the Bermuda Olympic Association in recognising Winter Olympian Tucker Murphy.

Dr. Murphy is the first Bermudian to make an appearance in Olympic skiing, and has represented the island in the last two Winter Olympics Games.

This morning the Premier presented Dr. Murphy with a specially minted pin from the International Olympic Committee for his participation in the Sochi Winter Games held earlier this year.

Premier Dunkley said, “I’d like you to cast your minds back to February this year, when cross country skier Tucker Murphy was watched by millions of television viewers around the world hoisting the Bermuda flag proudly at the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

“While other athletes were bundled up in winter coats and heavy snow gear, there was Tucker, along with the rest of the Bermuda delegation, boldly wearing Bermuda shorts.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Tucker Murphy is one of just three athletes to have represented Bermuda at the Winter Olympics. He also has the distinction of being Bermuda’s first Olympic skier. Needless to say, Tucker has represented Bermuda with pride.

“And today I am delighted to join the Minister of Community, Culture and Sports and members of the Bermuda Olympic Association in recognizing Tucker’s efforts in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.”

The Premier noted that, in addition to being an accomplished athlete, Dr. Murphy was a Rhodes Scholar, obtained a Masters of Science in Integrative Bioscience, and went on to earn his Doctorate in Zoology from Oxford.

“So Tucker is indeed a distinguished Bermudian who has represented Bermuda extremely well in numerous forums,” added the Premier.

Dr. Murphy was wearing red Bermuda shorts and a blue blazer today, the same attire he wore in the Opening Ceremonies, which rather infamously led to an overseas media outlet reporting his attire was “a nod to the country’s proud tradition of looking like idiots,” a comment they subsequently deleted following complaints.

Their sentiment was not shared by all, with Fox News declaring Bermuda the “winner” of the Opening Ceremony, citing the delegation’s Bermuda shorts in temperatures below 40 degrees, while Twitter users chimed in with a variety of praise for the team’s attire.

Dr. Murphy is also an elite triathlete, and is set to represent Bermuda at the 2014 Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow, Scotland later this month.

“I’m very proud to represent Bermuda, and it’s something that has involved a lot of hard work over the years,” the skier and triathlete said today. ”There’s a whole lot of opportunity out there in the world as a Bermuda athlete.”